Capitol Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Break-In

Caused Over $10,000 in Damage to the Bank ATM

March 30, 2010 - GREENBELT, MD—Earl Blake, age 53, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to breaking into a bank with intent to commit felony bank larceny.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Prince George’s County Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Chief Eugene A. Jones, and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey.

According to Blake’s plea agreement, on June 9, 2009, Blake met with his codefendant who drove Blake to the SunTrust Bank located at 4625 Old Branch Avenue in Temple Hills, Maryland, provided Blake a black bag containing an electric grinder/saw and other materials and instructed Blake on how to cut open the ATM safe. The burglar alarm system had been disabled. Blake entered the SunTrust Bank through the unlocked front door, located the ATM safe and began to cut open the ATM safe.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., the bank alarm company received a fire alarm notification. The alarm company notified Prince George’s County Emergency Services. The fire department responded to the bank parking lot where firemen smelled the odor of burning metal. Blake saw the firemen outside the bank and fled through the rear bank door. Blake was apprehended a short distance from the bank and was arrested.

Law enforcement officers entered the bank and recovered an electric grinder/saw and observed damage to the ATM located in the rear of the bank. The damage to bank property was approximately $10,170.94.

Blake faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte has scheduled sentencing for August 12, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Deborah A. Johnston, who is prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.